Must-see attractions in Réunion

  • La Fenêtre

    Réunion

    It would be a sin to visit Les Makes and not take the forest road that leads to this viewpoint, another 10km further uphill. The view over the entire…

  • Stella Matutina

    Réunion

    Réunion's most beloved museum is dedicated primarily to the sugar industry, but also provides fascinating insights into the history of the island,…

  • Sucrerie de Bois-Rouge

    The East

    This sugar refinery is on the coast 3km north of St-André. During the cane harvest (July to early December) visitors are shown around the huge, high-tech…

  • Plage de Boucan Canot

    Réunion

    Boucan Canot's main beach has been listed as one of Réunion's best, and once you get a glimpse of the gentle curve of the bright white sand, lined with…

  • Plage des Roches Noires

    Réunion

    Plage des Roches Noires, in the heart of town, is crowded and neatly striped with sunbeds and parasols, but, beneath all this, it remains an attractive…

  • Le Grand Brûlé Platform

    Réunion

    In April 2007, in one of the most violent eruptions ever recorded, an impressive lava flow was formed, about 2km north of Pointe du Tremblet. The road was…

  • Temple of Colosse

    The East

    Temple of Colosse is, by far, the most striking Tamil temple in Réunion. With its brightly painted decor, it's very photogenic. Since it's not open to the…

  • Cascade de la Grande Ravine

    Réunion

    A narrow road follows the wide stony bed of the Rivière Langevin and leads to Cascade de la Grande Ravine, a majestic waterfall that drops into a broad…

  • Plage de L'Hermitage

    Réunion

    Lined with casuarina trees, Plage de L'Hermitage is an alluring place to fry in the sun. It is safe for swimming – it's protected by a barrier reef and is…

  • Musée de Villèle

    Réunion

    This museum is set in the former home of the wealthy and very powerful Madame Panon-Desbassayns, a coffee and sugar baroness who, among other things,…

  • Maison de la Broderie

    Réunion

    Entirely modernised in 2014, the Maison de la Broderie is home to an association of 30 or so local women dedicated to keeping Cilaos' embroidery tradition…

  • Bassin Boeuf

    The East

    If you need to cool off, the Bassin Boeuf waterfall beckons with its enticing natural pools fringed with stone slabs, ideal for picnicking and sunbathing…

  • Bassin La Paix & Bassin La Mer

    The East

    A blissful site is Bassin La Paix, in the Rivière des Roches valley, about 2.5km west from Bras-Panon (it's signposted). From the car park, a path quickly…

  • Îlet Bethléem

    The East

    Very few visitors have heard about Îlet Bethléem, a magical spot by the Rivière des Marsouins that locals would like to keep for themselves. Reached after…

  • Kelonia

    Réunion

    Don't miss this ecologically conscious marine and research centre dedicated to sea turtles, about 2km north of St-Leu. It features exhibits, interactive…

  • Belvédère de l’Eden

    The East

    A fabulous place to chill out is this aptly named viewpoint, in upcountry Bras-Panon. From Bras-Panon, take the road to St-André, then turn left onto the…

  • Grand Étang

    The East

    Around 12km southwest of St-Benoît along the road towards Plaine-des-Palmistes is the 3km road to Grand Étang (Big Pond). This pretty picnic spot lies at…

  • Le Jardin des Parfums et des Épices

    Réunion

    Inland between Le Baril and St-Philippe, don't miss the 3-hectare garden, Le Jardin des Parfums et des Épices. It contains over 1500 species in a natural…

  • Maison Folio

    Réunion

    One of the loveliest of Hell-Bourg's Creole houses is this typical 19th-century bourgeois villa almost engulfed by its densely planted garden. You can…

  • Takamaka Viewpoint

    The East

    North of St-Benoît the D53 strikes southwest, following the Rivière des Marsouins 15km upstream to end beside the Takamaka viewpoint. Be prepared to fall…

  • La Saga du Rhum

    Réunion

    Those who want to understand how the ambrosia called rum starts in the sugar-cane fields and ends on their palates should come to this museum, set on the…

  • Pointe de la Table

    Réunion

    In 1986 the lava unusually flowed south of Le Grand Brûlé to reach the sea at Pointe de la Table, a headland that lies a few hundred metres north of Puits…

  • Plage de Grande Anse

    Réunion

    Beach lovers should stop at Plage de Grande Anse, which is framed with basaltic cliffs and features a white-sand beach, a protected tide pool and picnic…

  • Notre Dame des Laves

    The East

    The lava flow from a 1977 eruption went through Piton Ste-Rose, split when it came to the church and reformed again on the other side. Many people see the…

  • Musée Léon Dierx

    Réunion

    Housed in the former bishop's palace, built in 1845, this museum hosts Réunion's most important collection of modern art. The more high-profile works may…

  • Le Jardin d'Eden

    Réunion

    Appealing to a wider audience than just plant lovers and gardeners, Le Jardin d'Eden, across the main road from L'Hermitage, is definitely worth an hour…

  • Notre-Dame de la Salette

    Réunion

    The little white chapel of Notre-Dame de la Salette, perched on the side of the hill to the east of town, was built in 1859 as a plea for protection…

  • La Roche Merveilleuse

    Réunion

    Head to the Marvellous Rock for an eagle-eye panorama of Cilaos. It's accessible on foot or by road. From Cilaos, take the road to Bras-Sec. The turnoff…

  • Plage de la Souris Chaude

    Réunion

    Not a fan of tan lines? Head due south and lay your towel on Plage de la Souris Chaude, which is a favourite among nudists (only just tolerated) and gay…

  • Cimetière Marin

    Réunion

    Most tourists who come to St-Paul visit the bright and well-kept Cimetière Marin, the cemetery at the southern end of town. It contains the remains of…

  • La Maison de Laurina

    Réunion

    Caffeine addicts should make a beeline for La Maison de Laurina, the owner of which grows a top-quality variety of coffee, the Bourbon Pointu. The…

  • Le Labyrinthe En Champ Thé

    Réunion

    At the entrance of Grand Coude, Le Labyrinthe En Champ Thé is worth an hour or so for anyone interested in tropical flora, with an emphasis on tea and…

  • Mosquée Noor E Islam

    Réunion

    One of St-Denis' most iconic buildings, the Grande Mosquée dominates the centre with its tall minaret. Its cool white-and-green interior is a haven of…

  • Maison Carrère

    Réunion

    This meticulously restored mansion dating from the 1820s is a beautiful example of Creole architecture, with its elaborate veranda and intricate…

  • Le Barachois

    Réunion

    This seafront park, lined by cannons facing out to sea, is a good place to catch the sea breeze in St-Denis. It has an area set aside for pétanque (a game…

  • La Vanilleraie

    The East

    At Domaine du Grand Hazier, a superb 18th-century sugar-planter's residence about 3km southwest of Ste-Suzanne, you'll find La Vanilleraie, where you can…

  • Église

    The East

    You can't help but be dazzled by this surprisingly extravagant church that was erected in 1857. The facade of the building is covered in stucco depictions…